Eleven people – including six schoolchildren – were killed on Eastern Cape roads at the weekend in two crashes.
In the first incident, which took place on the R409 between Tsomo and Ngqamakhwe, a minibus transporting pupils from Zwelivumile High School in Ngcobo from a sports event overturned on Saturday night.
Police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said the accident took place near Zolo Village, Ngqamakhwe.
“The cause of the accident is not known but is being investigated by the Ngqamakhwe police. Four boys, one girl and the driver all died at the scene.
“Nine pupils were rushed to Cofimvaba hospital. One boy died at the hospital where the rest of the injured pupils were also .”
He said police were investigating a case of culpable homicide.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld until their next of kin have been informed.
Transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the road and overturned.
Bonelwa Gxumisa, a teacher at Zwelivumile High School, expressed shock at the death of the pupils.
“We are devastated. We treat the kids as our own when we interact with them at school. We cannot explain how we feel. We did not expect to start the year like this. All we can do now is to pray and ask God to help us deal with this. I don’t know what it is going to be like at school .”
Gxumisa said the pupils who survived the accident were still traumatised and needed counselling.
Engcobo mayor Lamla Jiyose said the municipality had sent a councillor to meet the principal and the school’s governing body to find out what can be done to assist.
Another fatal crash took place on the R394 between Pakade and Emagusheni Junction on the R61. The road, which branches out from the N2 about 5km from Kokstad, links to the R61 between Mbizana and Flagstaff.
The crash took place around 4pm on Saturday and involved a Ford Fiesta and a Toyota Avanza. The drivers of both vehicles died at the scene while three passengers were also killed. Six people were transported to Mount Ayliff Hospital in a critical condition.
Commenting on behalf of premier Phumulo Masualle and the provincial government, spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said: “We send our sincere condolences to the affected families and urge people to properly plan their trips and inspect vehicles.” — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Six pupils among 11 killed in E Cape road carnage
In the first incident, which took place on the R409 between Tsomo and Ngqamakhwe, a minibus transporting pupils from Zwelivumile High School in Ngcobo from a sports event overturned on Saturday night.
Police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said the accident took place near Zolo Village, Ngqamakhwe.
“The cause of the accident is not known but is being investigated by the Ngqamakhwe police. Four boys, one girl and the driver all died at the scene.
“Nine pupils were rushed to Cofimvaba hospital. One boy died at the hospital where the rest of the injured pupils were also .”
He said police were investigating a case of culpable homicide.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld until their next of kin have been informed.
Transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the road and overturned.
Bonelwa Gxumisa, a teacher at Zwelivumile High School, expressed shock at the death of the pupils.
“We are devastated. We treat the kids as our own when we interact with them at school. We cannot explain how we feel. We did not expect to start the year like this. All we can do now is to pray and ask God to help us deal with this. I don’t know what it is going to be like at school .”
Gxumisa said the pupils who survived the accident were still traumatised and needed counselling.
Engcobo mayor Lamla Jiyose said the municipality had sent a councillor to meet the principal and the school’s governing body to find out what can be done to assist.
Another fatal crash took place on the R394 between Pakade and Emagusheni Junction on the R61. The road, which branches out from the N2 about 5km from Kokstad, links to the R61 between Mbizana and Flagstaff.
The crash took place around 4pm on Saturday and involved a Ford Fiesta and a Toyota Avanza. The drivers of both vehicles died at the scene while three passengers were also killed. Six people were transported to Mount Ayliff Hospital in a critical condition.
Commenting on behalf of premier Phumulo Masualle and the provincial government, spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said: “We send our sincere condolences to the affected families and urge people to properly plan their trips and inspect vehicles.” — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos